Hearing on 812 area code is March 11 in Jeffersonville

Citing an expected shortage of telephone numbers in the 812 area code, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold hearings to explain the problem and solutions the industry is offering.

A hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 11 at Jeffersonville High School, 2315 Allison Lane. Others will be held in Bloomington, Bedford, Evansville, Vincennes, Terre Haute, St. Meinrad, French Lick, St. Leon and North Vernon.

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator filed a petition with state utility regulators on behalf of the industry that included seven options with a combination of geographic splits and overlays.

Regulators predict there will be no further numbers available in the 812 area code by March 2015.

If individuals can't attend, they may submit written comments to the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor. For more information, go to www.­in.gov/oucc/2361.htm.